1
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
every year, we make up a basket of food at Thanksgiving for a poor family in the neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
land that is too poor for farming
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scarce
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
a poor crop because of the drought this year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
a pretty poor musician, even for a garage band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in terrible
of low quality
the poor workmanship of the goods from that store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in pitiful
deserving of one's pity
aw, the poor kitten hurt its paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poor
My poor, wan mother, wizened by her abrupt deflation, ill-prepared for such a burst of fury in her orderly existence, did try to sate me.
—
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Air quality across North Carolina Not all of North Carolina received poor air quality reports.
—Eva Flowe
april 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
More than 700,000 children in Connecticut are breathing unhealthy levels of air pollution linked to poor health outcomes including asthma and long-term health implications, according to a new annual air quality report from the American Lung Association.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Bergmann said the president and king may also discuss other concerns of the king, like international nutrition and health aid for poor nations.
—April 28, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Air quality across North Carolina Not all of North Carolina received poor air quality reports.
—Eva Flowe
april 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
More than 700,000 children in Connecticut are breathing unhealthy levels of air pollution linked to poor health outcomes including asthma and long-term health implications, according to a new annual air quality report from the American Lung Association.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Bergmann said the president and king may also discuss other concerns of the king, like international nutrition and health aid for poor nations.
—April 28, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poor
Adjective
-
Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The redevelopment could begin unfolding as the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, the former Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, begins construction on a new $35 million headquarters in Clay Arsenal, two major projects for the long-impoverished neighborhood.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Introducing the setting with a majestic crane shot (particularly immersive in 3D), his camera soars above the cave and surveys the desolate landscape.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
For myself, having a Wrangler is the perfect vehicle to just drive these desolate roads.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
During that time, Cubans lost an average of 5% to 25% of their body weight, according to one study published in a medical journal, with goods including bread, milk, eggs and chicken in scarce quantities.—
Danica Coto,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Think space-saving packing solutions, genius tech that keeps your devices alive when outlets are scarce, and comfort items that make economy feel a little more bearable.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Those parties clinging to the outdated and socially unacceptable business model that relies on selling puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers are no longer welcome in nine states and over 520 localities and some are looking for a new home.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri denounced the attack as tragic and unacceptable during a visit to the village on Monday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The delay seemed to Silva like one more indignity in a terrible series of events that began with her husband’s death in 2024.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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The logic here is peak modern NBA, and the league wants to make being slightly below average more rewarding than being truly terrible.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Written as a response to the utopian fiction that consumed Russia’s intelligentsia at the time, Notes from Underground is a mirror that reflects the ugliest, most pitiful aspects of humanity back at us.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
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These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On Monday, Pat Riley essentially said what’s broke should be fixed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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This suited Reeves, who, like many of his characters, was broke.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So is neighboring Idaho, home to a federal nuclear lab, and Utah, where Governor Spencer Cox recently staged a press conference in the barren scrubland west of Salt Lake City.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
Ground covers can suppress weeds, protect topsoil from erosion and drought, and fill empty gaps between stepping stones, pavers, and barren ground.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poor. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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